{
  "id": "META-REFERENCE-01",
  "definition_id": "OCOM-DEF-0005",
  "citation": "OCOM Specification. Reference. META-REFERENCE-01 (OCOM-DEF-0005). Version 0.1. https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/reference",
  "uri": "ocom:Reference",
  "term": "Reference",
  "slug": "reference",
  "status": "Draft",
  "version": "0.1",
  "last_updated": "20 July 2026",
  "last_updated_iso": "2026-07-20",
  "canonical": "https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/reference",
  "in_defined_term_set": {
    "name": "OCOM Core Vocabulary",
    "url": "https://ocom.uno/vocabulary"
  },
  "definition": "A Reference is a directed association from one Object to another. A Reference identifies a target Object but does not define the semantic nature of the association. The meaning of the association is defined separately by the Relationship specification.",
  "definition_lead": "A Reference is a directed association from one Object to another.",
  "purpose": [
    "This document defines Reference within the OCOM Specification.",
    "A Reference enables one Object to identify, locate, or associate with another Object without defining the business meaning of their relationship.",
    "References support navigation, interoperability, traceability, and object connectivity throughout the OCOM ecosystem."
  ],
  "business_meaning": [
    "References enable Objects to interact without embedding implementation details.",
    "They provide stable connections between Objects while preserving object independence and modularity."
  ],
  "design_principles": [
    "identify a target Object",
    "remain independent of implementation technology",
    "support traceability",
    "preserve object independence",
    "support interoperability",
    "remain reusable"
  ],
  "characteristics": {
    "required": [
      "Source Object",
      "Target Object",
      "Reference Direction",
      "Reference Type",
      "Reference Purpose",
      "Validity Period",
      "Status"
    ],
    "optional": []
  },
  "relationships": [
    {
      "term": "Object",
      "uri": "ocom:Object",
      "href": "/vocabulary/object",
      "internal": true
    },
    {
      "term": "Identity",
      "uri": "ocom:Identity",
      "href": "/vocabulary/identity",
      "internal": true
    },
    {
      "term": "Relationship",
      "uri": "ocom:Relationship",
      "href": "/vocabulary/relationship",
      "internal": true
    },
    {
      "term": "Registry",
      "uri": "ocom:Registry",
      "href": "/vocabulary/registry",
      "internal": true
    },
    {
      "term": "Metadata",
      "uri": "ocom:Metadata",
      "href": "/vocabulary/metadata",
      "internal": true
    },
    {
      "term": "Ownership",
      "uri": "ocom:Ownership",
      "href": "/vocabulary/ownership",
      "internal": true
    },
    {
      "term": "Governance",
      "uri": "ocom:Governance",
      "href": null,
      "internal": false
    }
  ],
  "relationship_style": "canonical",
  "relationships_lead": "Reference interacts with:",
  "relationships_note": "Reference provides connectivity between Objects without defining business semantics.",
  "examples": [],
  "architectural_role": [],
  "headings": [
    "Purpose",
    "Definition",
    "Business Meaning",
    "Design Principles",
    "Core Characteristics",
    "Reference Direction",
    "Reference Types",
    "Reference Validity",
    "Reference Integrity",
    "Lifecycle",
    "Governance",
    "Auditability",
    "Relationship to Other Specifications",
    "Independence",
    "Conformance",
    "Revision History"
  ],
  "referenced_by": [
    {
      "term": "Object",
      "uri": "ocom:Object",
      "href": "/vocabulary/object"
    },
    {
      "term": "Identity",
      "uri": "ocom:Identity",
      "href": "/vocabulary/identity"
    },
    {
      "term": "Metadata",
      "uri": "ocom:Metadata",
      "href": "/vocabulary/metadata"
    },
    {
      "term": "Relationship",
      "uri": "ocom:Relationship",
      "href": "/vocabulary/relationship"
    },
    {
      "term": "Registry",
      "uri": "ocom:Registry",
      "href": "/vocabulary/registry"
    }
  ],
  "vocabulary": "core",
  "publication": true,
  "independence": [
    "storage mechanisms",
    "pointer formats",
    "database keys",
    "communication protocols",
    "implementation technologies"
  ],
  "conformance": [
    "support directed References",
    "preserve reference traceability",
    "maintain reference integrity",
    "support governance",
    "remain technology independent"
  ],
  "revision_history": [
    {
      "version": "0.1",
      "date": "20 July 2026",
      "iso": "2026-07-20",
      "description": "Initial draft"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "document": "META-REFERENCE-01",
    "status": "Draft",
    "governance_records": [],
    "revisions": [
      {
        "version": "0.1",
        "date": "20 July 2026",
        "iso": "2026-07-20",
        "description": "Initial draft"
      }
    ]
  },
  "source_file": "docs/Meta/Reference.md",
  "source_url": "https://github.com/DenisHogberg/OCOM/blob/main/docs/Meta/Reference.md",
  "history_url": "https://github.com/DenisHogberg/OCOM/commits/main/docs/Meta/Reference.md",
  "representations": {
    "html": "https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/reference",
    "json": "https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/reference.json",
    "jsonld": "https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/reference.jsonld",
    "markdown": "https://ocom.uno/vocabulary/reference.md",
    "source": "https://github.com/DenisHogberg/OCOM/blob/main/docs/Meta/Reference.md",
    "history": "https://github.com/DenisHogberg/OCOM/commits/main/docs/Meta/Reference.md"
  }
}